Lockport felon indicted for possessing stolen firearm

BUFFALO -- A federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment charging Daniel Hunt, 41, of Lockport, with being a felon-in-possession of a firearm and ammunition, and with possessing a stolen firearm. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that on September 21, 2017, Lockport Police Officers conducted a traffic stop of a 2013 Chevy Silverado, driven by Hunt, after reports that an individual driving a similar vehicle kicked bags of garbage into the canal. During the stop, Officers detected alcohol on Hunt’s breath and asked Hunt to perform sobriety tests. After Hunt failed the tests, Officers recovered a gun case containing a GSG-522, .22lr caliber, semi-automatic rifle, and 446 rounds from the vehicle. Hunt has three prior felony convictions in Niagara County Court.

The defendant was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott. Hunt is being held until a detention hearing on Thursday.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division; and Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mike Niethe.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.